Load responsive device and method of making

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses a load responsive device, particularly in the form of a support cell. The support cell is particularly useful in the process of installing heavy machinery and the like. In making such an installation, the support cells are distributed between the machinery and the foundation therefor and support the machinery during the adjustment thereof to the proper, usually level, position. The support cells are particularly characterized in yielding at a substantially constant load over a substantial range of movement and are selected as to load bearing capacity so that the total number of support cells beneath the machinery will support more than the weight of the machinery while a smaller number of the cells will not support the weight of the machinery without yielding.

United States Patent Rode [54] LOAD RESPONSIVE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING [72] Inventor: John E. Rode, Ligonier, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Temper Corporation, Ligonier, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 18, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 37,958

[ 1 May 2, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attorney-Melvin A. Crosby [5 7] ABSTRACT The specification discloses a load responsive device, particularly in the form ofa support cell. The support cell is particularly useful in the process of installing heavy machinery and the like. In making such an installation, the support cells are distributed between the machinery and the foundation therefor and support the machinery during the adjustment thereof to the proper, usually level, position. The support cells are particularly characterized in yielding at a substantially constant load over a substantial range of movement and are selected as to load bearing capacity so that the total number of support cells beneath the machinery will support more than the weight of the machinery while a smaller number of the cells will not support the weight of the machinery without yielding.

21 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG-5 DEFLECT/ON FIG-4 INVENTOR JOHN E. DODE Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,814

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN E. RODE WWW Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,814

3 Sheets-Sheet 15 F lG-9 FIG-l l FIG-l3 INVENTOR JOHN E. ROOF.

BYWMQ'M I LOAD RESPONSIVE DEVICE AND METHOD or MAKING RELATED APPLICATION John E. Rode, Inventor; Ser. No. 841,436; filed: July 14, 1969; title: DEFORMABLE METALLIC STATIC SEALS.

This invention relates to a load responsive device and, in particular, to such a device which can be employed in the installing of machinery and the like which is required to have a predetermined, usually, level position.

In the installation of machinery, particularly large and heavy machinery, at great deal of time can be consumed in getting the machinery set up in the proper position. For example, with machine tools having long beds with ways thereon which support tables, it is extremely important for the bed to be supported in such a manner that the ways are perfectly straight and, usually, horizontal, in order that the table supported thereon will be guided in a straight line path and also to avoid setting up stresses in the machine bed. Because of the great care that must be taken in installing machines of this nature, considerable time can be consumed in making an installation and it is even possible to cause some deformation of the machine bed in making the installation.

The present invention is concerned with a device for use in making such installations which will not only protect the machine or device during the installation process, but which will also greatly reduce the time required to make such an installation and insure highly accurate positioning of the machine or device after it is completely installed.

The device according to the present invention, and which might be referred to as a support cell, comprises, in brief, two parts supported against movement relative to each other by load sensitive elements which will undergo plastic deformation at a predetermined load and at a substantially constant load. The load sensitive elements are arranged in such a manner that a substantial amount of movement between the parts at substantially a constant load can take place and this gives adequate range of movement of the parts relatively to permit the installation referred to.

In practice, one of the parts of the device rests on a rigid support, such as concrete or a metal foundation, and the other part of the device is engaged by the portion of the frame or bed of the machine being installed which forms the supporting region thereof. The support cells are distributed between the foundation and the machine in such a manner that if all of the support cells are equally loaded by the machine, the resistance offered by the load sensitive elements in the device will support the weight of the machine.

However, if one or more of the support cells receives substantially less load than the others thereof, the said others will deflect, or collapse, until the load is distributed among the cells. In this manner, substantially uniform support is provided, distributed about the supporting portion of the device and leveling operations can readily be carried out by applying additional load to the highest part of the machine till the machine is in exactly the position desired. The two parts of each device are then fixedly locked together and the machine being installed will then be firmly and solidly supported in the desired position. Additional support can be provided for the machine by filling in under the supporting portion thereof with grout, or the like, if so desired, although the support cells according to the present invention are, themselves, adequately strong to support the machine.

The exact nature of the present invention will become more clearly apparent upon reference to the following detailed specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a machine or the like to be installed and with support cells according to the present invention distributed beneath the machine and supported by a support provided therefor;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view drawn at somewhat enlarged scale showing one of the support cells and its relation to the machine being installed;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view drawn at still further increased scale showing more in detail the construction of a typical support cell according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view partly in section showing a typical load sensitive element forming an important part of the arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a graph indicating the relationship between the load applied to a support cell and the deflection thereof;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the support cell according to the present invention could be employed in connection with equipment which is suspended from an overhead support;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a modification;

FIG. 8 shows another type of load sensitive element that can be employed in a support cell according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of one manner in which a support cell according to the present invention could be incorporated directly into the frame of a machine;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing how an external clamp could be employed with a support cell according to the present invention for clamping a machine frame thereto;

FIG. 11 shows schematically one manner in which the spacer plates or load transmitting and distributing washers could be constructed to hold concentrically arranged load rings in proper relation to each other;

FIG. 12 is a more or less schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a modified arrangement of a support cell according to the present invention characterized in axial compactness; and

FIG. 13 is a diagramatic view showing a particular application of support cells according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows a modification; and

FIG. 15 shows a further modification.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 represents a piece of equipment which is to be installed in a certain position relative to a support or foundation 12. Assuming that the piece of equipment at 10 is a machine tool having ways thereon, it can be assumed that the piece of equipment is to be installed with the ways perfectly straight and horizontal. The equipment may comprise a mounting flange, or lugs or pads 14 through which clamping bolts, or studs, extend for securing the equipment to the support therefor.

According to the present invention, a plurality of support cells 16 are arranged in distributed relation between equipment l0 and the support or foundation l2 therefor and in supporting relation to the equipment. It is advantageous for support cells 16 to be close to or directly beneath the flange 14 as is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also shows the bolts, or studs, 18 extending through the flange 14 and adapted for receiving clamp nuts.

Turning to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the bolt or stud 18 is firmly anchored in the support or foundation 12 as by being grouted or leaded therein or in any other suitable manner.

The support cell 16 will be seen to comprise a first outer part which is in the form of a sleeve or cylinder 20 having a base or bottom member secured thereto as at 22 and which base member is adapted for supporting engagement with foundation or support 12. The upper end of sleeve 20 is threaded as at 24 and threadedly receives the internally threaded locking collar 26.

The support cell comprises a second inner part 28 in the form of a sleeve or plunger reciprocable inside sleeve 20 and adapted at its upper end to engage the underside of flange 14 of equipment 10.

The lower end of plunger 28 engages, or has fixed thereto, a washer-like abutment member 30 and beneath member 30 in axially spaced relation are washer-like spacer plates 32. Between abutment plate 30 and the spacer plate 32 next therebeneath is arranged one or more convoluted annular load sensitive ring elements 34.

Similarly, other convoluted ring elements 34 are arranged between adjacent ones of spacer plates 32 and between the lowermost spacer plate 32 and the bottom member 22 of the outer part of the support cell.

The upper end of stud 18, as will be seen, is threaded and receives a hold down nut 36.

The convoluted rings 34, which can be referred to as load rings, are seiected in the manner referred to above so that the total capacity of all of the support cells distributed beneath the frame of the equipment being installed is greater than the weight of the machine, for example, from ID to 20 percent greater. In the schematic illustration in FIG. 1, the equipment being installed might be assumed to have a weight of 16,000 pounds and beneath the equipment there are arranged in distributed relation eight support cells each having a load capacity of 2,200 pounds, the total capacity of all of the load cells thus being 17,600 pounds, or percent greater than the total weight of the equipment.

In making an installation, the studs 18 are first imbedded in the foundation or support or floor at locations which will match the holes provided therefor in the bottom of the equipment, or in a flange thereon. A support cell is then placed over each stud with the locking collar of each cell positioned at an upper level so as to be substantially at the same level as the upper end of the plunger of the respective cell.

The equipment is then moved into position over the prepared region and is lowered so that the studs 18 enter the holes in the equipment provided therefor and as the equipment engages and is supported by the support cells. The locking collars are then backed off from the bottom of the machine so that the weight of the machine is released to the plungers 28 of the support cells. The load rings, or corrugated elements, in the support cells will then assume the weight of the equipment and will be compressed.

No single support cell can support more than its rated capacity of 2,200 pounds and seven support cells can support no more than 15,400 pounds which is less than the total weight of the machine.

For this reason, all of the support cells must share the load of the equipment being installed even though, at the beginning of the operation, the upper ends of the plungers of one or more of the cells are at a different level than the others. If, however, the difference in initial heighth of the upper ends of the plungers of the cells is less than the total range of compressibility of each cell, the plungers located at the highest level will move downwardly due to compression of the respective load rings until the load of the equipment is distributed over all of the support cells.

All machine frames will, of course, have some degree of flexibility and this will influence the uniformity of distribution of the load. However, the distribution of the load is substantially uniform and is distinctly different from what occurs when conventional practices are followed and screw jacks or the like are employed for supporting the machine frame during installation. By the use of such rigid supports as is represented by screw jacks, severe distortion of the machine frame can occur and the machine frame can even be damaged, particularly with long narrow machine frames such as planer beds.

The use of the support cells according to the present invention avoids developing extreme stresses in a machine frame being mounted and thereby avoids the possibility of damage thereto and at the same time substantially speeds up the procedure of mounting the machine frame in the proper position.

Turning now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the particular manner in which the support cell functions will be more clearly apparent.

The convoluted annular load sensitive elements referred to and indicated by reference numeral 34 in FIG. 3 are constructed as shown in FIG. 4 by forming a strip of metal to a corrugated annular configuration which, by way of example, may consist of two radially outwardly convex curved portions 40 joined by an outwardly concave curved portion 42. An element of this nature is illustrated in my copending application Ser. No. 841,436, filed July 14, 1969, and entitled DEFORMABLE METALLIC STATIC SEALS, and it is particularly characterized in that axial load imposed on the element will result first in resilient deformation of the element and thereafter plastic deformation thereof.

The material from which the element is made is such that, when plastic deformation is initiated, the plastically deformed part of the element work hardens and the plastic deformation thus shifts to another portion of the element and so on until the element is completely collapsed.

This is indicated graphically in FIG. 5 wherein the resilient deformation or deflection of a ring-like element is represented by that portion of the graph between A and B. Plastic deformation of the element is initiated between points B and C and from point C to D plastic deformation continues until the element is substantially fully collapsed in the axial direction. As the element approaches fully collapsed condition, there is a drop in the load required further to collapse the element and this is indicated by the dip between points D and E. This represents a drop of about 20 to 30 percent of the load. From point E onwardly the applied load to cause further compression of the element increases rapidly because the element is approaching its fully collapsed flattened out condition.

It will be appreciated that between points C and D the applied load is, for all intents and purposes, substantially constant, varying not more than about 5 percent, thus permitting the operation of the support cells in the manner referred to above. For the reason that the load required to collapse the load elements drops off at point D, whenever it is the case that the load elements might be loaded to point D, it is advisable to include abutment means to limit the collapse of the load rings so that they are not worked beyond point D of the characteristic curve.

If, for example, springs were to be employed for the support cells, the springs would yield downwardly when loaded but the total load supported by any individual cell would be in direct proportion to the deflection thereof so that there could be no substantially uniform distribution of the load among the several support cells. The support cell according to the present invention, however, once point C on the graph of F IG. 5 is passed, yields at a substantially uniform load thereby resulting in uniform distribution of the total load amongst the several support cells being employed.

The particular support cell illustrated in FIG. 3 has individual load sensitive rings therein having a total usable amount of deflection of about one-tenth inch. This amount of deflection would represent the portion of the graph of FIG. 5 between points C and D. Inasmuch as there are five layers of the rings in stacked relation in the cell, it follows that the total useful deflection of the cell is one-half inch.

The total possible deflection of one-half inch for the cell illustrated in FIG. 3 is quite adequate to compensate for the irregularities that will necessarily occur in the surface on which the machine is to be mounted as well as for any inaccuracies in the bottom surface of the machine that is to rest on the support or foundation. A greater amount of deflection could be provided for by increasing the number of load rings arranged in stacked relation.

It will also be observed in FIG. 3 that each layer of load rings consists of two rings arranged in concentric relation. The total capacity of the support cell is determined by the strength of the individual load rings and the number thereof that are disposed in each layer. Each layer can, of course, consist of a single ring or a plurality thereof arranged in concentric relation.

FIG. 6 shows how the same support cell that has been described above can be used for suspending equipment from an overhead support. In FIG. 6, the overhead support is indicated at 50 and dependent therefrom is a stud or bolt 52 which may be threaded in place in support 50 and which extends through a support cell generally indicated at 54 and which is constructed the same as the one previously described.

At the lower end, bolt or stud 52 has a head 56 on which the bottom plate of the support cell rests while, at the upper end, the support cell has a plunger 58 corresponding to plunger 28 of the first described modification and a clamping nut 60 threaded to the outside of the support cell. Disposed between the bottom end of plunger 58 and the bottom of the support cell are the load sensitive means 62.

The equipment, generally indicated at 64, is adjusted into position in the same manner as previously described by first suspending it on the load cells, then backing off locking collars 60, adjusting the equipment to the desired position, running the locking collars 60 up to support position, then adjusting lock nuts 66 downwardly on bolts or studs 52 into clamping position against the top of the mounting flange 68 of the equipment.

The support cells described above are all characterized in being constructed for loads of a predetermined amount. It is possible, however, to construct a support cell according to the present invention so that it will be usable over a wide range of loads. Such a modification is illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein the support cell comprises an outer part having a sleeve 70 and a bottom plate 72 and an inner part in the form of a plunger 74 extending into the upper end of sleeve 70 and with a locking collar 76 threaded to the outside of sleeve 70.

Between bottom plate 72 and the lower end of plunger 74 there is arranged a plurality of layers of corrugated annular load rings 78 with intervening spacer members 80 the same as has been described previously. However, each layer of load rings in the arrangement of FIG. 7 is sensitive to a different load range and the respective layers of load rings will, therefore, yield at different loads. The individual layers of load rings are, for the foregoing reason, provided with abutment elements 82 which limit the collapsing movement of the respective layer of load rings to a range within points C and D of the graph of FIG. 5.

When a device according to FIG. 7 is employed, if the load imposed thereon exceeds the capacity of, say, two layers of load rings, both of these layers will collapse and the respective abutments 82 will pick up the load so that the load will be exerted on another layer of the load rings having greater strength than those which collapsed.

The useful range of the support cell of FIG. 7, which is that part indicated in FIG. 5 as falling between points C and D, is substantially reduced but the range of load over which the support cell can be used is substantially increased.

In each of the modifications described, the load rings have been relatively simple corrugated members and a plurality of layers thereof have been placed in the support cell to provide for the amount of relative movement between the two parts of the support cell that is desired.

However, the nature of the load rings employed is such that the rings are not limited to two or three convolutions but can be made to consist of several convolutions as indicated in FIG. 8. The convolutions consist of the outwardly convex curved portions 90 and the interconnecting outwardly concave curved portions 92.

The load ring shown in FIG. 8 will follow the same characteristic deflection pattern that is illustrated in FIG. 5 but, inasmuch as rings of the type shown in FIG. 8 are somewhat difficult and expensive to make, it is more practical and economical to construct the support cell with a plurality of layers of the more simple type load rings of the type shown in FIG. 4. These rings can be relatively simply and quickly formed and, as will be appreciated from the analysis given above, will provide an adequate range of movement of the parts of the support cell relatively for substantially all machine mounting operations.

In the foregoing description, it has generally been considered that the support cells are separate from the article being supported thereby but it is also possible to incorporate the support cells directly in new manufacture if so desired.

In FIG. 9, a fragment of a machine frame is indicated at 100 and includes a downwardly opening cavity 102 in which is mounted a stack of yieldable load elements generally indicated at 106. A hold down bolt 103 extends upwardly through the stack of load elements and the machine frame and receives a clamp nut 105.

The stack of load elements at the lower end is engaged by the upper end of a plunger 108 which is threaded for receiving a clamp nut 104 for locking the assembly against collapsing movement as has been hereinbefore described. A detent 109 may be carried by plunger 108 to prevent it from dropping from cavity 102. The hold down bolt or stud 103 may be grouted or otherwise fixed in the floor or foundation member 112.

FIG. 14 shows how the device of FIG. 9 could be modified so that the plunger portion 108A is integral with the stud portion 103A so that in the case of a temporary installation, a machine can be mounted on a surface not having fixed studs therein. With the modification of FIG. 14, the entire assembly is carried by the machine frame and temporary installation of the machine on a supporting surface or foundation can readily be accomplished.

FIG. 10 shows how an external clamp could be provided for engaging of the top of a flange 122 on a machinery bed or frame member 124 between which a support floor or foundation 126 there is disposed a support cell according to the present invention and generally indicated at 128. It will be apparent that the FIG. 10 arrangement eliminates the need for accurately located studs in the mounting surface or foundation.

In FIG. 11, a support cell illustrated therein employs concentrically arranged load rings as indicated at 130 and for maintaining the load rings in concentric relation, the spacer and load distributing plates 132 can be annularly grooved as at 134 for receiving the ends of the load rings for thereby holding them in concentrically located positions.

The modification of FIG. 12 shows a support cell according to the present invention which is particularly compact in the axial direction for the reason that the load rings are arranged in at least partial coextensive relation to each other. In FIG. 12, the support cell comprises the bottom part and the upper part 142 and a locking arrangement such as nut 144 for selectively locking the parts against relative collapsing movement.

Within part 140 are the annular load rings 146, 148 and 150 with upper part 142 engaging the upper end of load ring 146 and lower part 140 engaging the lower end of load ring 150. Interposed between the load rings are the spacer and load transmitting rings 152, each of which consists of a central axial portion and radial flanges at the opposite ends thereof extending in respectively opposite directions from the central portlon.

With the arrangement of FIG. 12, a relatively compact support cell can be utilized and, at least in the larger sizes of such support cells, the load rings can be matched up sufiiciently closely to provide for substantially simultaneous yielding thereof when the rated load of the cell is exceeded. Each load ring in FIG. 12 could be replaced by two or more concentric rings if so desired.

Furthermore, the individual load rings in the FIG. 12 modification could yield at different loads similarly to what has been explained in connection with the modification of FIG. 7 with suitable abutment means being provided for each stage of the support cell, again as described in respect of the FIG. 7 modification.

The loads at which the cells will yield with plastic deformation of the load rings can vary substantially, depending upon the particular article to be supported thereby and the preferred manner of proceeding with the installation of the article. Machine tool beds sometimes become extremely long and narrow and in other cases such members are relatively short and stifi against bending.

It is desired, when such members are supported entirely by the support cells for the support cells to be able to carry the entire weight of the machine without any deflection thereof.

However, the loads at which the cells yield can vary quite widely. For example, if a member such as a machine tool bed were to be supported by load cells as illustrated in FIG. 13 wherein the machine beds indicated at 150, the support cells are indicated at 152, 154 and 156, the critical thing about the support cells is that the cells at 154 yield at a load less than the weight of the member 150.

Assuming, purely by way of example, that member 150 weighs 1,000 pounds and it is resting on the support cells and is desired for the left end of the machine to be lowered somewhat, the lowering can be accomplished by pressing the member downwardly which will cause yielding of the support cells at 152. Advantageously, the support cells at 156 do not yield and at this time it is important for the cells at 154 to yield at a load less than the weight of member 150.

Thus, in the arrangement of FIG. 13, each of the cells at 152, 154 and 156 could support a load of, say, 900 pounds and the member could be readily manipulated into level position while being at all times supported against bending and deflection. Further, the support cells at 154 could be entirely removed from beneath member 150 and it would still be adequately supported with the cells of the opposite ends, at 152 and 156, being loaded to less than the yield value thereof.

In most cases, the cells indicated by the various reference numerals consist of two or more arranged in a row and, assuming that there were three support cells in each row, each thereof would have a yield value of about 300 pounds making a yield value for the entire row of about 900 pounds.

Furthermore, while only three cell locations have been indicated under member 150 in FIG. 13, there could be more cells being imposed between the machine and the supporting surface therefor if so desired. In any case, the resistance of the cells to yielding, namely, the yield strength thereof could be determined by assuming that one extreme end of the machine is forced downwardly and the other end of the machine is to pivot about the support cells at that end of the machine and the remainder of the cells between the ends are then required to yield at such loads as will prevent the cells from the said other end of the machine from being completely unloaded.

In the foregoing examples, it has been assumed that the member being installed is supported entirely on support cells according to the present invention which are distributed between the member and the support and which are caused to collapse or yield by moving the member downwardly at the high region thereof.

However, the support cells can be employed to advantage for the purpose of yieldably supporting the intermediate region of an elongated member while the extreme ends thereof are supported on rigid supports such as screw jacks by first adjusting the jacks relative to the support cells so that when the member is set down on the jacks it will also engage the support cells and cause yielding thereof.

Manipulation of the jacks can then be resorted to to bring the member to a desired, usually level, position and the member can then be fixed in its adjusted position. Thus the utility of the support cells is not necessarily limited to providing complete support for a member to be installed but can be utilized to provide a portion of the said support to advantage.

In many cases, the support cells employed for installing a particular member will all be the same but occasions will also arise wherein the weight of the member is not uniformly distributed with respect to the length or width of the member and in this case the support cells can advantageously be varied in capacity so that cells having a higher yield value will be disposed beneath the heaviest part of the machine and cells having lower yield values will be disposed under lighter parts of the machine.

In FIG. 15, a somewhat modified arrangement is illustrated wherein machine frame 170 is supported on floor or foundation 172 by support cells generally indicated at 174. A hold down bolt or stud 176 extends through the support cell and machine frame and receives a clamp nut 178. The machine frame may also carry a bolt 180, preferably adjacent the support cell, which cooperates with the stud 176 and its nut 178 in fixing the machine frame in position.

In the modification of FIG. 15, the support cell comprises the axially spaced washer like members 182 between which are disposed the yieldable load rings 184. The outer peripheral portions of the washer like members 182 below the uppermost one thereof may be formed upwardly as at 186, or may be provided with struck up tabs to hold the outer load rings in position.

Furthermore, the entire assembly may receive a resilient rubber like outer sleeve like coating 188 which maintains the parts of the support cell in assembled relation and at least partially seals the support cell. The inner load rings may be cemented in place to the washer like members or secured thereto by a rubber like adhesive or may be otherwise afixed to the washer like members as by brazing or soldering.

The support cell of FIG. 15 may be grouted into the foundation and protrude above the foundation by the amount of travel that will be necessary in order properly to position the machine frame after it is placed on the support cells.

It has been mentioned previously that the support cells are locked until the machine is set in place and are then unlocked for leveling operations and then again locked to fix the machine frame in position. In respect to the first locking of the cells, it is also possible to position the locking collars so that the support cells can yield a predetermined amount whereby the machine frame is somewhat cushioned as it is initially set in place on the support or foundation therefor.

Modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. In a load responsive device; first and second parts, said parts being relatively moveable and yieldable means in the form of at least one ring-like element convoluted in cross section interposed between said parts and adapted to yield at a substantially constant load during at least a portion of said relative movement, said device being adapted to be interposed between a first member in the form of a rigid support and a second member adapted to be supported in a predetermined position on said first member and in supporting relation to said second member, said first and second partsengaging respective ones of said members in load transmitting relation thereto, said yieldable means undergoing plastic deformation during said portion of the relative movement of said parts, at least one of said parts including abutment means adjustably mounted thereon and adjustable into position to engage the said member engaged by the other of said parts for selectively locking said device against yielding.

2. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said parts are in telescopic engagement with each other and said relative movement of said parts is an axial movement.

3. A load responsive device according to claim I in which said first and second parts are in axially spaced relation, and resilient sleeve means extending between said parts and enclosing said ring-like element.

4. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said yieldable means comprises at least two concentrically arranged ring-like elements convoluted in vertical cross section and at least one plate disposed at the end of said ring-like elements and distributing the loads therebetween.

5. A load responsive device according to claim 1 which includes cooperating elements of abutment means interposed between and carried by said parts and limiting the amount of said relative movement thereof.

6. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said yieldable means comprises at least two ring-like elements convoluted in vertical cross section and of respectively different diameter and in coaxial relation, washer-like load transmitting members disposed between adjacent ones of said ring like elements, each washer-like member having an outwardly extending radial flange engaged by one end of the larger one of a pair of adjacent ring-like elements and an inwardly extending radial flange engaged by the opposite end of the smaller ones of the said pair of adjacent ring-like elements, and said washer-like member also comprising an axial portion rigidly interconnecting said flanges.

7. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said parts are in telescopic engagement and said relative movement thereof is an axial movement, one of said members including bolt means extending axially through said parts, one of said parts including abutment means thereon adjustable into engagement with one side of the said member engaged by the other part, and said bolt means including nut means adjustable into engagement with the other side of the last mentioned said member.

8. A load responsive device according to claim 7 in which said yieldable means is disposed in one of said parts in surrounding relation to said bolt means.

9. A load responsive device according to claim 7 in which one of said parts is in the form of a cup-like element open at one end, and the other said part in a sleeve-like element, said yieldable means being disposed in said cup-like element, one end of said yieldable means engaging the closed end of said cup-like element and the other end of said yieldable means engaging the one end of said sleeve-like element.

10. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said yieldable means comprises at least two ring-like elements convoluted in vertical cross section and in end to end relation, and at least one spacer plate disposed between said ring-like elements and transmitting loads therebetween.

11. A load responsive device according to claim 10 in which said ring-like elements are yieldable at respectively different loads, and abutment means associated with each said element and limiting the movement of said parts relatively to a predetermined amount when the respective ring-like element yields.

12. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said yieldable means comprises a plurality of ring-like elements convoluted in vertical cross section and distributed in concentric and axial relation, and spacer plates disposed between axially adjacent ones of said ring-like elements for transmitting and distributing loads therebetween.

13. A load responsive device according to claim 12 in which at least some of said plates are annularly grooved to receive said ring-like elements.

14. A load responsive device according to claim 12 which includes plates at the opposite axial ends of said device forming said first and second parts, and resilient sleeve means extending axially between said parts and surrounding said ringlike elements.

15. A load responsive device according to claim 14 in which the outermost ones of said ring-like elements are radially confined by said sleeve means, and means connecting the inner ones of said ring-like elements to said plates.

16. The method of installing a member such as a machine tool on a rigid support therefor which comprises; distributing a plurality of support cells between the support and member and each of which support cells yields at a substantially constant load, locking the support cells against yielding beyond a predetermined amount, disposing the member on said support cells so the support cells bear the weight thereof, unlocking said cells to permit further yielding thereof, adjusting the member in the vertical direction to the desired position relative to the support, and locking said support cells to support the member fixedly in the adjusted position thereof.

17. The method according to claim 16 in which the load at which each said support cell yields is greater than the weight of the member divided by the number of the cells and less than the weight of the member divided by a number less than the number of cells.

18. In combination; a rigid support, a member such as a machine tool having weight W and comprising a mounting region thereon for operative supporting engagement with the support: support means interposed between said mounting region of said member and said support and including a pair of support means remote from each other and other support means between said pair of support means, at least eac of said other support means being yieldable at a substantially constant load, the load at which said other support means will yield being smaller than the load imposed thereon when the support provided by one of said pair of support means is reduced substantially to zero.

19. The combination according to claim 18 in which each of said pair of support means is also yieldable at a substantially constant load, each said support means being yieldable at a load greater than W/N, where N equals the total number of said support means.

20. The combination according to claim 18 in which each said other support means is yieldable at a load such that the summation of the supporting moments developed by the said other support means about one of said pair of support means is smaller than the oppositely directed moment developed by the weight of said member about said one of said pair of support means.

21. The combination according to claim 18 in which at least said other support meansinclude locking means for selectively locking the respective support means against yielding and said locking means are adapted for actuation into position to prevent yielding of at least said other support means beyond a predetermined small amount while said member is being placed thereon and for then being actuated into unlocking position to permit at least said other support means to yield further than said small amount thereby to permit adjustment of the position of said member in the vertical direction relative to said support and for then again being actuated into locking positions for nonyieldably supporting said member on said support, and means for clamping said member to said support means following the last mentioned actuation of said locking means into locking position. 

1. In a load responsive device; first and second parts, said parts being relatively moveable and yieldable means in the form of at least one ring-like element convoluted in cross section interposed between said parts and adapted to yield at a substantially constant load during at least a portion of said relative movement, said device being adapted to be interposed between a first member in the form of a rigid support and a second member adapted to be supported in a predetermined position on said first member and in supporting relation to said second member, said first and second parts engaging respective ones of said members in load transmitting relation thereto, said yieldable means undergoing plastic deformation during said portion of the relative movement of said parts, at least one of said parts including abutment means adjustably mounted thereon and adjustable into position to engage the said member engaged by the other of said parts for selectively locking said device against yielding.
 2. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said parts are in telescopic engagement with each other and said relative movement of said parts is an axial movement.
 3. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said first and second parts are in axially spaced relation, and resilient sleeve means extending between said parts and enclosing said ring-like element.
 4. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said yieldable means comprises at least two concentrically arranged ring-like elements convoluted in vertical cross section and at least one plate disposed at the end of said ring-like elements and distributing the loads therebetween.
 5. A load responsive device according to claim 1 which includes cooperating elements of abutment means interposed between and carried by said parts and limiting the amount of said relative movement thereof.
 6. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said yieldable means comprises at least two ring-like elements convoluted in vertical cross section and of respectively different diameter and in coaxial relation, washer-like load transmitting members disposed between adjacent ones of said ring-like elements, each washer-like member having an outwardly extending radial flange engaged by one end of the larger one of a pair of adjacent ring-like elements and an inwardly extending radial flange engaged by the opposite end of the smaller ones of the said pair of adjacent ring-like elements, and said washer-like member also comprising an axial portion rigidly interconnecting said flanges.
 7. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said parts are in telescopic engagement and said relative movement thereof is an axial movement, one of said members including bolt means extending axially through said parts, one of said parts including abutment means thereon adjustable into engagement with one side of the said member engaged by the other part, and said bolt means including nut means adjustable into engagement with the other side of the last mentioned said member.
 8. A load responsive device according to claim 7 in which said yieldable means is disposed in one of said parts in surrounding relation to said bolt means.
 9. A load responsive device according to claim 7 in which one of said parts is in the form of a cup-like element open at one end, and the other said part in a sleeve-like element, said yieldable means being disposed in said cup-like element, one end of said yieldable means engaging the closed end of said cup-like element and the other end of said yieldable means engaging the one end of said sleeve-like element.
 10. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said yieldable means comprises at least two ring-like elements convoluted in vertical cross section and in end to end relation, and at least one spacer plate disposed between said ring-like elements and transmitting loads therebetween.
 10. The combination according to claim 18 in which each said other support means is yieldable at a load such that the summation of the supporting moments developed by the said other support means about one of said pair of support means is smaller than the oppositely directed moment developed by the weight of said member about said one of said pair of support means.
 11. A load responsive device according to claim 10 in which said ring-like elements are yieldable at respectively different loads, and abutment means associated with each said element and limiting the movement of said parts relatively to a predetermined amount when the respective ring-like element yields.
 12. A load responsive device according to claim 1 in which said yieldable means comprises a plurality of ring-like elements convoluted in vertical cross section and distributed in concentric and axial relation, and spacer plates disposed between axially adjacent ones of said ring-like elements for transmitting and distributing loads therebetween.
 13. A load responsive device according to claim 12 in which at least some of said plates are annularly grooved to receive said ring-like elements.
 14. A load responsive device according to claim 12 which includes plates at the opposite axial ends of said device forming said first and second parts, and resilient sleeve means extending axially between said parts and surrounding said ring-like elements.
 15. A load responsive device according to claim 14 in which the outermost ones of said ring-like elements are radially confined by said sleeve means, and means connecting the inner ones of said ring-like elements to said plates.
 16. The method of installing a member such as a machine tool on a rigid support therefor which comprises; distributing a plurality of support cells between the support and member and each of which support cells yields at a substantially constant load, locking the support cells against yielding beyond a predetermined amount, disposing the member on said support cells so the support cells bear the weight thereof, unlocking said cells to permit further yielding thereof, adjusting the member in the vertical direction to the desired position relative to the support, and locking said support cells to support the member fixedly in the adjusted position thereof.
 17. The method according to claim 16 in which the load at which each said support cell yields is greater than the weight of the member divided by the number of the cells and less than the weight of the member divided by a number less than the number of cells.
 18. In combination; a rigid support, a member such as a machine tool having weight W and comprising a mounting region thereon for operative supporting engagement with the support: support means interposed between said mounting region of said member and said support and including a pair of support means remote from each other and other support means between said pair of support means, at least each of said other support means being yieldable at a substantially constant load, the load at which said other support means will yield being smaller than the load imposed thereon when the support provided by one of said pair of support means is reduced substantially to zero.
 19. The combination according to claim 18 in which each of said pair of support means is also yieldable at a substantially constant load, each said support means being yieldable at a load greater than W/N, where N equals the total number of said support means.
 21. The combination according to claim 18 in which at least said other support means include locking means for selectively locking the respective support means against yielding and said locking means are adapted for actuation into position to prevent yielding of at least said other support means beyond a predetermined small amount while said member is beinG placed thereon and for then being actuated into unlocking position to permit at least said other support means to yield further than said small amount thereby to permit adjustment of the position of said member in the vertical direction relative to said support and for then again being actuated into locking positions for nonyieldably supporting said member on said support, and means for clamping said member to said support means following the last mentioned actuation of said locking means into locking position. 